Some points on the grain shipping system are less frozen than they were last year; some are not. The first barge has moved through Lock and Dam 2, but Duluth has yet to see its first ocean-going vessel.

Earlier this month, the Environmental Working Group's farm program skeptics tried their hand at a familiar game ??? deconstructing the many variables of the new programs, including some that are not yet implemented, and estimating their likely cost. The EWG came up with some big numbers, and were hooted at by Politico reporter David Rogers, who said they were unreasonably high.

No subject seems to trouble families more than splitting a partnership apart. One brother I know agonized for years about ending a business relationship with his alcoholic sibling. He felt obligated to be his brother's keeper.

The future of exporting genetically engineered grain and co-products to Southeast Asia was discussed at a recent symposium in Singapore. The U.S. Grains Council and companies from many countries attended the meeting.

North American hog producers have been battling porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus for nearly two years. In response, hog farmers have stepped up biosecurity practices to guard against the deadly disease infecting their herds.

3/31 1:48PMMay corn and wheat closed sharply lower Tuesday after USDA estimated more corn acres and stocks than expected. May soybeans were able to finish higher with help from a lower-than-expected planting estimate of 84.6 million acres and slightly less stocks than expected.

Last month West Point graduate and Illinois farm boy, T.J. Menn (fourth from the right), asked DTN readers for help getting this group of students from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government to farm country. The response was overwhelming, and the trip an awesome success. (DTN/Progressive Farmer photo by Jim Patrico)

Spring Break ReportThe Week Harvard University Students Came Home to the Farm3/30 10:50AMT.J. Menn has managed to do something no Illinois farm boy has ever done before. He's turned agriculture into a Facebook trend among students at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government in Boston.

Mon Mar 16, 2015 01:46 PM CDTSeveral agencies, conservationists and other groups are working with farmers who want to go the extra mile to remove nitrogen from tile water before it leaves the farm.

Farm Business

Minnesota native Glenn Krog hopes gifting farmland to his local community foundation will benefit Lake Benton, which has a population of 680. (DTN photo by Elizabeth Williams)

Senior Partners - 1A Will to Save Main Street 3/27 7:39AMThink how rural communities could rejuvenate if farmland rents stayed local rather than flowing to out-of-state heirs. That's why some farmland owners want their hometowns to inherit at least part of their land.

Ask the Taxman by Andy BieblSpare Us From IRS Repair Regulations3/23 2:04PMReaders pose tax questions on how to justify repairs, handle capital gains on a residence and compliance on the Affordable Care Act.

Fri Mar 6, 2015 12:39 PM CSTGiving cattle free access to hay bales wastes hay and money. Bale feeders can pay for themselves many times over with the amount of hay they save.

Ag Policy

Farm managers who are in non-family joint ventures or general partnerships must now prove they are contributing at least 500 hours of farm management work per year, or at least 25% of the time necessary for the farm to operate. (DTN/The Progressive Farmer file photo)

Mon Mar 16, 2015 03:33 PM CDTA Kansas congressman announced Wednesday he was reintroducing legislation that he had championed last year that would restrict labels for foods that included ingredients from genetically engineered crops. Instead, the bill would create a non-biotech certification program similar to USDA's organic certification.

Thu Mar 26, 2015 01:21 PM CDTA group called Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility charges that USDA scientists can be pressured to change their work or results, particularly if research results run counter to those in the agricultural industry.

Minnesota native Glenn Krog hopes gifting farmland to his local community foundation will benefit Lake Benton, which has a population of 680. (DTN photo by Elizabeth Williams)

Senior Partners - 1A Will to Save Main Street3/30 12:05PMThink how rural communities could rejuvenate if farmland rents stayed local rather than flowing to out-of-state heirs. That's why some farmland owners want their hometowns to inherit at least part of their land.

Mon Mar 30, 2015 12:09 PM CDTSouthern crops, growers with payment limit issues, operators with best yields in the county or those who need a Doomsday price defense look hard at PLC for at least part of their acres.

Mon Mar 23, 2015 02:30 PM CDTCapping crop-insurance subsidies for the highest-income farmers would have minimal effect on the program, but the savings in federal dollars from such a move might not be as large as expected, according to a Government Accountability Office report.

Mon Mar 30, 2015 12:01 PM CDTAgriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who will co-chair a new Broadband Opportunity Council, said farmers, livestock producers and rural businesses stand to gain from better access to higher internet speeds. Faster data could help with producing commodities and help farmers market their crops or livestock.

Featured Column

Three of the world's top grain producers are facing a lack of credit that will likely lead to lower yields in 2015. In addition, others are facing currency valuation issues and other items that could mean lower world grain production. (DTN file photo)